The three were recognized for its work in partnering with local communities to gather information on housing needs, empowering community leaders and providing guidance as to how communities can more efficiently serve their citizens. The award citation indicates “this team has been successful in educating and empowering communities to make their own choices and decisions based on data that they understand, help to collect, discuss, disseminate and evaluate.”

Das, an ISU assistant professor of community and regional planning, Gaffey and Wolseth are all community development extension specialists.